Deion Sanders: 'I plan on being here and being dominant' after sons leave Colorado for NFL

Deion Sanders isn’t going anywhere. In an interview with FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt, the Colorado head coach addressed his future after his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, move on from the program.

“I’m a leader of men, not a follower of men. I’m a father, not a baby daddy. I lead my sons. I don’t follow my sons,” Sanders said. “My sons, Travis [Hunter] included, are getting ready to migrate to the NFL. I’m not following them to the NFL.

“I paved the way for my babies. They’re not paving the way for me. So, I plan on being here and being dominant here, because they’re establishing something that we’re going to continue to build on for years to come. And I’m thankful that they’re establishing what they’re establishing.”

Shedeur, Shilo and Travis Hunter are each expected to leave Colorado after this season for the NFL. In ESPN’s latest 2025 NFL mock draft, Jordan Reid projected Shedeur to be drafted with the No. 5 overall pick.

Hunter followed closely behind in Reid’s predictions, landing at the No. 11 pick. While Shilo may not be a first-round draft pick, numerous experts still expect the defensive back to find a home at the next level.

However, before the trio can look too far ahead, they must take care of the 2024 campaign. In Deion Sanders’ first season at the helm in 2023, Colorado burst out the starting gates. In the Buffaloes’ season-opener, they defeated 2022 national runner-up TCU in a 45-42 shootout.

Only one week later, Colorado dominated new-look Nebraska 36-14. In the triumph, Shedeur lit up the scoreboard, tallying 393 passing yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions.

In Week 3, Colorado escaped a grueling in-state showdown against Colorado State in double overtime. While the Buffaloes pulled out the win, they showed signs of weakness and suffered losses. Specifically, Hunter was forced to leave the game after absorbing a late and suffering a lacerated liver.

Hunter missed three weeks due to the injury and Colorado spiraled. The team ultimately went 1-8 in the remainder of the regular season and failed to reach a bowl game. Sanders did not rest in the offseason.

The 56-year-old head coach reeled in the No. 2 class in On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings, including 44 fresh faces. Of course, Colorado also suffered its fair share of losses, collectively losing 41 players to the portal.

Nonetheless, Sanders is primed for his second season leading the Buffaloes. After all, it may be his last with his sons by his side.